Chris and Stoffie celebrate 50 years of love
They hope for their love to continue to grow and to experience this life together as they always have.
Chris Welgemoed recalled the day he met his wife of 50 years, Stoffie, in 1970 when he was just a mechanic working on his eight-cylinder car with his friend Ronald.
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He remembered revving his car outside his home in Primrose, Germiston, when three girls walked past, and one of them was to catch his eye and steal his heart forever.
The two love birds dated for over a year and grew passionately close.
Chris and Stoffie Kriek got engaged off the coast of Inhaca Island in Mozambique in 1971 and remember ceremoniously removing their scuba masks to kiss under the crystal-clear waters.
They tied the knot in Villiers, Free State, on March 18, 1972. They had initially planned to again get married underwater in the deepest diving hole in South Africa; however, Stoffie opted for the white gown and church ceremony for her special day.
Stoffie and Chris have done a tremendous amount of daredevil stunts together, including being partners in budokan and taekwondo.
“I have introduced her to many of the things I do. Just like when I was a scuba diver. I also remember asking her why she doesn’t join the Budokan Karate Club I was attending after she had been coming to see me do it for so long. That’s how she ended up joining me, breaking roof tiles and wooden boards as a hobby,” said Chris.
In their younger years, the two travelled many places together, including Botswana, when Chris was involved in off-road motorsport, as well as Lesotho and Mozambique.
They have raised two children, Heidi (43) and Shawn (47), and are grandparents of a lovely grandson living with his mother, Heidi, in England.
The couple has overcome several challenges together and says the secret to a long-lasting relationship is communication and understanding.
“I think the biggest thing in a relationship is talking to one another and understanding where your partner’s viewpoint is coming from. If a problem arises, talk about it. Don’t wait for another to come up,” said Stoffie.
They hope for their love to continue to grow and to experience this life together as they always have. Chris and Stoffie continue to enjoy each other’s space at the Allen Park Old Age Home, painting their days away.
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